Ernie Sims

NFL Draft News

Ernie Sims OLB 5'11 231 Florida St.
By: Robert Davis

Sims was the top overall recruit in the country the year he signed with the Seminoles, and he paid immediate dividends. As a true freshman he earned considerable playing time, finishing the season with 42 tackles, two of them for loss. As a sophomore he moved into the starting lineup and showed exactly why he was recruited so heavily. He was named to various All American teams after posting 86 tackles, nine for loss, with 4.5 sacks. Sims' final season in Tallahassee was just as impressive. He finished his career with his best overall season, totalling 72 tackles, 10 for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two interceptions.

Ernie Sims is like a heat seeking missile. He flies to the ball carrier with amazing speed and power. When he reaches the ball carrier, he continues to go through them. Sims is a fantastic athlete with awesome speed and quickness on the football field. There is not anything cannot do. He can turn and cover, he will sort through the trash at the line of scrimmage, and he can rush the passer. Despite being 5'11 and just 231 pounds, he plays bigger because of his strength and aggression.

The only flaw in Sims' game is his size. He is a tad undersized, but he does not let it effect his play on the field. He is also too aggressive at times, over running plays and taking himself out of the action.

If Sims were three inches taller, he would battle A.J. Hawk for the rights to be the first linebacker selected. Even though he is undersized, Sims has the talent to be a difference maker in the NFL. He draws comparisons to former Seminole linebacker Derrick Brooks due to his size and talent, and he could be the same type of playmaker. After running a 4.5 flat in the 40 in February, Sims should have solidified himself in the first round at some point. If he falls lower than that, he will be a steal.